Tiny 'Canary' home security system packs a digital punch

By Staff

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The Canary is a tiny device that packs a heavyweight security punch and has been designed for the average homeowner or renter.

Launched with much fanfare on the Indiegogo crowd-funding website, the Canary measures a mere six inches in height and can be left on a table or a bookshelf in order to do its business -- that is, protecting your home.

Despite its small form factor, the device contains an HD camera with night vision setting, motion detector, speaker and microphone, temperature, humidity and air quality sensors, and an accelerometer and is wi-fi enabled.

Its creators wanted to build an 'empowering' device that gave the average consumer access to the types of home security that until now were the preserve of the super rich. And that's why as well as a raft of sensors, the Canary uses a set of algorithms that help it learn about its surroundings, its owner and the household's regular comings and goings. As a result, it knows when an event is really out of the ordinary and not just a teenage son or daughter coming home early because of a free period at college.

"Security has specifically been designed to meet the needs of a very small group of people. As a result, the vast majority of American homes have no security, including the people that need it the most. With Canary, we built the first smart security device for everyone," explained Adam Sager, professional security expert and Canary founder.

The device is an attempt to offer a true alternative to elaborate and expensive bespoke home security installations with something that is inexpensive and easy to use.

The Canary is designed to be unpacked, set up and activated in roughly one minute. Communicating via an app -- or for potential customers without a smartphone or a data signal, via an internet browser -- the device offers a live stream of video and sensor data, and a data and trends tracker. It can also be automatically armed or disarmed based on pattern detection -- such as by learning a family's typical routine -- and once it reaches its crowd-funding goal and officially launches, will feature a range of extra services including a 24-hour security call center.

Initial backers can reserve a Canary for $169 via Indiegogo now. Once the product officially rolls on to market next year, it will retail for $199. In less than 24 hours the Canary has already amassed $329,486 -- three times its initial funding target and there are still 35 days left to run on the campaign.